Actuating mechanism for warning signals



Dec. 29, 1936. A. F. GILLET 2,066,001

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR WARNING SIGNALS Filed Feb. 4, 1935 l 2sheets-sheet 1 Snventor Dec. 29, 1936.

A. F.A GILLET 2,066,001

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR WARNING SIIGNALS Filed 'eb. 4, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 2 (Ittorneg Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES ACTUATINGMECHANISM FOR WARNING SIGNALS Alexis F. Gillet, Omaha, Nebr., assignorto E. A.

Laboratories, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication February 4,1935, serial No. 4,907 claims. (o1. 116-138) Thisinvention relates to actuating means for warning signals for use forexample with and attachment to a vehicle of internal combustion enginetype, more particularly an engine having an intake manifold and providedwith a valve operable from the drivers seat for regulating the amount offuel admitted to the engine for governing the speed and power thereof.

An important object of the invention is to provide a warning signal forthe herein stated purposes having actuating means therefor, the parts ofwhich are so constructed and arranged that an open, unobstructedpassageway and communication is provided and maintained at all times,during operation, as well as when the mechanism is at rest from theexterior atmosphere through the signal with the connections positionedbetween it and a source of suction for the actuating thereof, wherebythe application of minute `degree of suction to said passageway incidentto the .opening of the .speed valve of the engine will cause said meansto become instantaneously actuated without the necessity of closing thespeed valve partially or wholly, as heretofore practiced.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the inventionwill be morefully described hereinafter ,and will be more particularly pointed outin the lclaims appended hereto.

Inthe'drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like'or correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a warning signalembodyingthe presentinvention and showing the'relative position of the parts when the mech7anism is at rest. n

Figure 2 'is a transverse section thereof taken on line 2 -2of'Figure 1. 'Fig re 3 is a plan view of the diaphragm.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the plunger.

' Figure 5 is a vertical section of a fragment of the signal and showingthe relative position of the plunger and diaphragm during a cycle ofoperation.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the air passagewaydevice.

Figure 'l is a vertical section of a fragment of the signal and showingan alternative form of lthe passageway-device illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view taken along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 and showinga' further form ofsaid passageway-device.

' Figure l10 is a top plan taken substantially on lline-lll--ID 'of Fig.9. Y

= "Figure 1l is a view similar to Figure 10 and showing a still furtherunit form of the passageway-device shown in Figure 6, the view beingtaken substantially on line l I-II of Figure 12. Figure 12 is asectional View similar to FigureV 9 and showing the unit illustrated inFigure 1'1. v .5A Figure 13 is a View taken substantially on line l3-l3of Figure 14 and showing another form'of the passageway-device. i'

Figure 14 is a vertical section of a fragment of a signal embodying theform of the passageway- 10 device shown in Figure-13.

It is well known in the art that, as heretofore practiced, at times whenthe throttle valve of an engine is opened appreciably for a high speedthereof, or at times when the engine labors such as during the climbingof a hill, that an inadequate or inefficient degree of suction isobtained for application to windshield wiper mechanisms and warningsignals ofthe general class ofthe present invention. The minimum degreeof suc- 2O tion thus provided often is insufficient to cause the springpressed valves of the prior art signals to move away from contact withtheir seats-or diaphragms, whereby said prior signalsl fail to sound atall or in instances where a signal is pro- 25 duced the same is toobelated for an ecient warning of traic and particularly is this true ininstances when said prior signals are attached to the comparatively highspeed motors of present day type. Also in instances when a vehicle and,30 the engine thereof are running .at a normal or comparatively slowspeed and a point of tramo danger is reached, the operator in order toavoid a collision often suddenly opens the throttlefor speeding pastsaid danger simultaneously lclesir- 35 ing to warn the traflic byactuating his signal which fails to respond incident to the suddenopening of the fuel admission valve or throttle.

The present invention provides an arrangement of parts which utilizesthe comparatively small 40 degree of suction obtained-'and applicable toa suction operated warning signal at the time the throttle of the engineis opened for facilitating an initial vibration of its diaphragm-for theproduction of sound and also provides a mechanism 45 which is highlyresponsive to changes in the ad- -justment of engine-throttles withoutimpalring a normal operation of the engine by unduly diluting its fuelmixture. f

Referring now to the drawings for a more par- 5 0 ticular description,2D indicates generally a warning signal which includes a casing`comprised of a lower half portion 2| and an upper half portion 22. Thelower part. 2| of. the Vcasing is substantially cup-shaped in crosssection, having an out- `5,5

`constantwith respect to lthe diaphragm.

turned flange 23 and in inturned flange 24. A nut 25 facilitates aconnection of the warning signal with the intake manifold of an internalcombustion engine, it being understood that a suitable ,cut-oil" cock,(not shown), is provided for use at times when it is desired not toemploy the device lfor the production of warningsounds.

Between the flanges 23 and 24 a detent shelf 26 is provided for purposeslater explained.v The upper half portion 22 of the casing includes aflange 2l which is peened over the iiange 23 of the `lower half portionduring the manufacture of the device .and subsequent to the placement ofcertain later described parts therein, said operation being accomplishedby die pressing and squeezing the parts together.

A bell or trumpet 28 may be employed for amplifying sounds produced bythe warning signal. The outer end of the bell is in communication at alltimes with the exterior1 atmosphereand the inner.A end thereof is incommunication with the interiorof the casing or housing through anopening 29 formed through the upper half portion 22 ofthe housing. Thebell 28 may be removably secured to the'casingvby means of a boss 30 andkeepers or screws 3l.

. The nut 25 is provided with a threaded outlet port 32 for securingthereto a connection or communicating conduit 32. The securing meansbetween the outlet port or nut 25 and the pipe 32' may consist of anysuitable parts such as the threaded sleeve, a pack nut carried therebyfor locking the ilared end of the pipe 32 to said sleeve as shown inFigureV 1.

Prior to the peening of the half portions of the housing together atransversely disposed diaphragm 33, and a plunger34 carried by aresilient spider 35 are placed within the housing and arranged as shownin Figurel. Also at such time one of the passageway-devices 36 shown inFigs. 6, '7, 8, 13 and 14 are placed Within the housing and will remainin the position initially selected incident to die crushing or squeezingthe two: portions of the casing together as heretofore mentioned. Priorto said squeezing operation I shims 31, preferably formed of cardboard,fiber or the like, are rst positioned ures l, 5, '7, 9, 12 and 14.

d The diaphragm 33 is provided with a suitable number of apertures(preferably four) as shown in Figure 3. The diaphragm 33 sub-divides thecasing and provides a chamber 39 at the suction side thereof and achamber 39 atthe air inlet sidethereof and it will be understood thatcomas shown in Figmunication between the chambers and with the exterioratmosphere ...is permitted atV all times through the aperture 38 of withthe outlet port 32.`

A reciprocable means forcooperatio-n with the diaphragm is mounted inthe casing, said means being generally indicated at d, and preferablyincludingfthe plunger 34 which may be riveted, spot welded. or otherwisesuitably secured tothe spider 36, the latter having a suitable number ofarms. The arms are similar and equi-distantly spaced with respect `to,each other-and radially disposed from a common center. As best shown inFigurer 1, the outer ends of the arms rest upon the detent-shelf 26 fora resilient bearing 4| and maintaining the lalignment of the plungeMeans are provided Vfor maintaining the passageway through thediaphragmopen at all times by means of the passage-way-device 36 or `36---Aor'36--B, any of which may be interposed between the diaphragm and` thediaphragm and the plunger for preventing a contact between them at alltimes whereby the plunger is prevented from closing the aperture 38 ofthe diaphragm.

Referring to Figure 6, theV passageway-device 36 is provided with acentrally disposed aperture 42 which is of lesser diameter thanthediameter of the plunger 34 and of greater diameter than the areasembraced by the apertures 38, as shown by the dotted and full lines inFigure 2. 'Ihe annular wall of the aperture 42 of the member 36 isprovided with a plurality of 4notches 43 for the passage of airtherethrough at times when the plunger is in contact with the member 36for providing a free passage of air at all times from the chamber39',through the apertures 38 of the diaphragm, and the notches 43 of themember 36 at times when it touches the plunger, and past the perimeterof the plunger and into the chamber 39, and thence through the outletport 32 and the connection 32' to the source of vacuum. Alternativeforms ofthe passageway-device 36 may be employed. Theform 36-A, shown inFigure 8, consists of a thin metal sheet, the perimeter ofwhich isprovided with a plurality of large notches 43-A which perform the samefunction as the heretofore described notches 43 of the member 36. l

The form of passageway-device, shown in Figure V13, may be brieflydescribed as a thin Istrip of ymetal 36-B extending across the diaphragmfor maintaining the aperture or apertures thereof open at -all times andpreventing contact between the plunger and diaphragm 33. The means formaintaining the apertures of 'the diaphragm open at all times mayconsist of further structures, shown in Figures`9 to 12, inelusive.Referring to Figures-9 and 10, the form therein illustrated consists ofproviding the plunger with an annular iiange 45 disposed at a right I.

notches 43 of the passageway-device 36 and ,l

'when this'structure is employed the member 36 'may-be' dispensed with.It is believed to be obvious that the annular flange 45, if providedwith holes transversely disposed through it, would perform the samefunction as the notches 46.

*'I'he .devicaillustrated in Figures 11 and 12 ,contemplate lprovidingthe periphery of the plunger with a plurality-of notches 41 inalignmentwith thev aperturesf38 of the diaphragm and when thisvmodication is employed no an- Y'nular flange 45 need'be' provided forthe plunger. Also it is believed to be" obvious that aperturespositioned through thevplunger in lieu of the 'notches 4lwould functionas well as the latter -and forthe purpose later described herein rela-!tive .to all of the forms which are generally referred'to 'herein as apassageway-device. Said ,passageway-device may consist of a detent, (notshown), for preventing the plunger 40 from having toogreatamovementtoward the diaphragm, said detent being secured tothe casing or the nut'25Vat' one oi its ends and the other end arranged for limitingthemovement of the plunger towards the diaphragm.

, A source-oi suction .or engineisgenerally into-the windshieldwipermechanism of the automobile. The present invention contemplates theremoval of said tap and the substitution therefor of a T or two-waybranch, with one of which the said windshield wiper mechanism may be incommunication and the other thereof for the warning signal of theinstant invention. Said tap and also such two-way branch are well knownin the art and believed to need no illustration. Also internalcombustion engines and their speed regulating valves being well knownare similarly believed to need no illustration or particular descriptionherein.

The pipe or conduit 32 establishes a communication between said tap andthe mechanism as shown in Figure 1, and between the ends of the conduit32 a cut-off valve is provided for closing said passageway 32completely. The cutoff valve may be of any type such as the valve forsaid purpose shown in my prior Patent No. 1,869,142, which also explainsa means for operating said valve from the drivers seat.

The transverse area of the pipe 32 and the total area of apertures 38 ofthe diaphragm must be made small so that the admission of air throughthe warning signal of the present invention is also comparatively smallin quantity, whereby the normal operation of the engine is not impairedby weakening the fuel mixture therefor with an undue dilution of airincident to the operation of the device, while at the same time enoughsuction is provided through the connection or conduit 32 and through thediaphragm sufficient to cause the latter to vibrate for the productionof sound.

In operation a comparatively minimum amount of suction applied to theconduit 32' or suction outlet port 32 of the mechanism causes air tobecome squeezed between the diaphragm andthe plunger through thepassageway-device of the present invention causing the diaphragm andplunger to move further away from each other, said initial movement ofair instantaneously causing an initial vibration of the diaphragm whichis highly responsive to the movement of the air sucked therethrough.Said initial vibration of the diaphragm permits a greater quantity ofair to move therethrough, the plunger then occupying an extreme positionaway from the diaphragm as depicted in Figure 5, from which position itthen reciprocates for varying the volume or velocity of the air passingthrough the diaphragm during the vibrations thereof, said vibrationsbeing communicated to the air within the chamber 39' for production ofsound and the amplification of said sound in the bell of the horn 28.

Heretofore when a spring urged valve head was A employed, in lieu of theplunger 40, said head making firm contact against its seat or diaphragma comparatively maximum amount of suction was required to spread thediaphragm away from the valve seat for producing an initial vibration ofthe diaphragm and as heretofore explained under certain operatingconditions of the engine the suction operated warning devices of theprior art fail to operate.

Among other advantages of the present invention it may be mentioned thatheretofore operators of motor vehicles have provided the latter with twohorns, one electrically actuated, which is used in times of emergency,and a pleasant toned suction operated horn. By means of the presentinvention the electrically actuated horns and the excruciating noisethereof may be dispensed with, also the vacuum storage tanks asheretofore used in connection with suction horns are eliminated.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails of construction and design of the above specifically describedembodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof,such changes and modications being restricted only by the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed isz- 1. A warning signal comprising a casing having anoutlet port to be connected to a source of suction and a port for theintake of actuating air, a vibratory diaphragm in the casing providedwith an opening for the passage of air between said ports for vibrationof the diaphragm, means disposed within the casing and movable withrespect to said diaphragm for varying the volume of air passingtherethrough, and means in the casing for constantly assuring themaintenance of an open passageway for air therethrough.

2. A warning signal adapted for connection with a source of suction andcomprising in combination, a casing, an apertured vibratory diaphragmdividing the interior of the casing into two chambers of which one is anair admission chamber and the other is a suction chamber, a resilientlymounted plunger in the casing for cooperation with the diaphragm andarranged for varying the movement of air from the air admission chamberto the suction chamber, and through said aperture and means within thecasing and acting constantly to prevent the aperture of the diaphragmfrom becoming completely closed by said plunger.

3. A warning signal including a casing formed with inlet and outletopenings, a vibratory diaphragm extending across said casing and formedwith a fluid opening, a valve including a body arranged in line withsaid latter opening, means for supporting said valve and diaphragmwhereby the same may move with respect to each other, and meanspositioned between said body and diaphragm for constantly maintainingsaid valve body out of engagement with said diaphragm whereby saiddiaphragm opening will, under no conditions, be closed by said valvebody.

4. A warning signal including a casing formed with inlet and outletopenings, a vibratory diaphragm extending across said casing and formedwith a fluid opening, a valve including a body arranged in line withsaid latter opening, means for supporting said valve and diaphragmwhereby the same may move with respect to each other, and meansoverlying said diaphragm body and engageable by the valve to constantlyprevent the latter from completely closing said diaphiagm opening,

5. A warning signal including a casing formed with inlet and outletopenings, a vibratory diaphragm extending across said casing and formedwith a fluid opening, a valve including a body arranged in line withsaid latter opening, means whereby said valve and diaphragm may movewith respect to each other, and said valve body being formed withopenings for the passage of fluid whereby, under all conditions, fluidmay ilow through said diaphragm opening.

ALEXIS F. GILLET.

